About Gastro-intestinal Cancer

First steps – diagnosis to treatment
Recognising GI cancer

Canopy Cancer Care is a leading private clinic for adult cancer patients. Our team specialises in the care of patients requiring cancer treatment. The Canopy vision is to offer New Zealanders the option of world-class cancer care, delivered locally, right here in New Zealand. Every day and with every patient we work towards this goal. The Canopy team has been providing an international standard of care since 2010. During this time we have built a strong team who are all passionate about our patients and the outcomes that matter to them most.

Epsom, Auckland

Epsom

Takapuna, Auckland

North Shore

Tauranga, Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Whangarei, Northland

Whangarei

Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay

Rotorua, Bay of Plenty

Rotorua & Taupo

What is GI cancer?

A group of cancers that affect the upper gastrointestinal tract are known as upper GI cancers. Lower GI cancers affect the digestive system.

Incidence & Survival rates

In 2009, there were 253 new cases of primary liver and biliary cancers, 472 new cases of pancreatic cancer, 370 new cases of stomach cancer and 257 new cases of oesophageal cancer. (Ministry of Health 2012a) New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. Stomach cancer is the 11th most common cancer in NZ (MoH 2014 Cancer Registrations)

Survival rates:

Oesophageal cancer cumulative relative survival of 12% after 5 years
Gastric cancer cumulative relative survival of 20% after 5 years
Pancreatic cancer cumulative relative survival of 5% after 5 years
Colorectal cancer survival of 90% after 5 years for early stage

Risk factors

Lower GI
Obesity
Smoking
Heavy alcohol use
Inflammatory bowel disease
Familial adenomatous polyps (FAP)
Lynch syndrome
Barrett’s oesophagus

Oesophagus
Age
More common in males
Tobacco use
Alcohol consumption (increases risk of squamous cell)
GORD
Barrett’s oesophagus

Stomach
Age
Obesity
Tobacco use
H-pylori
Family history
Risk for Maori is higher

Pancreas
Tobacco use
Diabetes
Chronic pancreatitis
Obesity
Family history

Signs and symptoms

Lower GI
Unexplained weight loss
Change in bowel habit
Blood in stools
Pain in back passage
Bowel does not empty
Abdominal mass
Tiredness

Oesophagus
Dysphagia
Persistent indigestion
Weight loss
Throat pain
Persistent cough
Hoarseness

Stomach
Persistent Indigestion
Frequent burping
Feeling bloated
Nausea and Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Dysphagia
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Weight loss
Anaemia
Jaundice

Pancreas
Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Jaundice
Lethargy

More information

Find more information on GI cancer

Canopy Cancer Care GI team

The Canopy GI team is made up of world class medical oncologists Drs Ben Lawrence, Osama Salih, Abbey Wrigley and Aileen Ludlow in Auckland with Drs Michelle Head and Richard North consult in Tauranga and Lisa Dawson, Abbey Wrigley and Vince Newton in Whangarei.

This specialist team all have extensive experience in GI cancer research, education and patient care. The Oncologists are supported by specialist GI nurse Elsa Basevi.

If you have an adult or young adult patient with gastro-intestinal cancer, please contact Canopy Cancer Care with a referral to the GI team.

Canopy specialises in the care of patients requiring cancer treatment with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, antibody therapy, hormone therapy and more targeted therapies.